Clutch



.June 9, 1942. .1. J. FLlcklNGER i r 2,285,652

f CLUTCH 'Filed Oct. 24. 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2v Patented June 9, 1942 naar UFF

CLUTCH `Fehn Jacob Flickingcr, Massillon, Ohio, as'signor of one-tenth to Raymond 0. Morgan, Orl-ville,

Ohio

Application October 24, 1941, Serial No. 416,401

1 Ciaim.

This invention Vrelates to clutches of a generally'similar nature .to that constituting the subject matter of my United VStates Patent No.

2,256,258, Yissued on September 16, 1941, upon which the present `device constitutes-an improvement.

The primary object of the present invention' is to provide, Vin a manner as hereinafter set forth, a novel construction and arrangement of coacting clutch elements or members, operable by affluid, such as mercury, under the influence of centrifugalforc'e, for -fric-tionally connecting a driven memberto a driving-member for actuation thereby.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a clutch Vof the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, .highly eiiicient vand reliable in use, compact, light in weight and which may be manufactured `at low cost.

All of the foregoing 'and still further objects and advantages ofthe invention will become apparent from a study of the .following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in Vertical longitudinal section through a clutch constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional View, taken substantially on the line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional View, taken substantially on the line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional View, taken substantially on the line li-4 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the present invention which has been illustrated comprises a metallic housing I which is xed by a connection 2 to a drive shaft 3. Fixed in the rear end portion of the housing I is a back plate 4.

Projecting into the housing I through the plate 4 is a stationary sleeve 5. The sleeve 5 comprises a substantially rectangular inner end portion 'I which extends transversely in the housing I. Extending rotatably through the sleeve 5 into the housing I is a driven shaft 8 which terminates in a reduced forward end portion 6. The end portion B of the driven shaft 8 is journaled in a r bearing 9 which is provided therefor in the connection 2.

Fixed in the rear portion of the housing I is a ring Ill of angle iron cross-section which, in conjunction with the plate It, defines an annular channel II. The channel II is for the reception of mercury (not shown).

Slidable on the portion I lof the stationary sleeve 5 is a metallic body I2. A retaining plate I3 for the body I2 is secured on the inner end of the stationary Sleeve 5. The lower portion of the body I2 is formed to provide a mercury chamber I4. Depending from-the chamber Iii `is a discharge spout I5 which is controlled by a valve I6. 'The Valve I6 is of the rotary type and comprises an operating arm I'I which ris engaged in a notch or recess I8 provided therefor in the lower portion ofthe stationary sleeve 5 for causing said valve to open and close when the body I2 is shifted on the portion 'I of said sleeve. Also projecting from` the body I2 is an intake spout or tube It which communicates with the chamber I4 and which constitutes a scoop which is engageable in the channel I I for removing the mercury therefrom.

Journaled longitudinally in the upper portion of the stationary sleeve is a shaft 25 which is manually Yoperable by suitable means including an arm 2I. On the inner end portion of the shaft 20 is an arm 22 having fixed therein a pin 23. Journaled on the pin 23 is a block 24 which is engaged between a pair of upstanding lugs 25 on the body i2. Thus, the body I2 is connected to the arm 2| for actuation thereby on the portion I of the stationary sleeve 5.

The shaft 8 comprises an enlarged portion 26 having splined thereon a hub 2l. Fixed on the hub 2'I is a disk 28. Fixed on the faces of the disk 28 are linings 29.

Mounted in the forward end portion of the housing I, forwardly of the disk Z3, is a stationary clutch ring or member 3i). Mounted in the stationary clutch member 3B and projecting rearwardly therefrom is a plurality of pins 3|. Slidably mounted on the pins 3! is a clutch member or. ring 32. The member 32 is engageable with the disk 28, and, in turn, engages said disk 2B with the ring 3i). Coil springs 33 on the pins 3| disengage the clutch ring 32. As illustrated to advantage in Figure 4 of the drawings, keys 36 are fixed at circumferentially spaced points in the forward portion of the housing I and are engaged in notches or recesses provided therefor in the peripheries of the clutch members and 32 for positively securing said members to said housing for rotation therewith.

Fixed in the housing I, between the member or ring 32 and the member It, is a casing 3d. As best seen in Figure 1 of the drawings, the casing 34 is substantially channel-shaped in cross-section and. comprises a conical inner portion or ange 35. The casing 34 is for the reception of segmental blocks 36 which ride on the portion 35 of said casing and which are engageable with the clutch member or ring 32 for forcing same forwardly against the tension of the coil springs 33. The blocks 36 may be of wood, aluminum or other suitable material which is considerably lighter in weight than mercury. Guide ribs 31 for the blocks 36 are provided on the inner portion 35 of the casing 34. Coil springs 38 are provided between the ends of the segmental blocks 36 (see Fig. 3) for expanding or opening said blocks when the clutch is to be disengaged.

The peripheral portions of the members I6 and 34 have formed therein a plurality of longitudinally extending passages 39. The passages 39 communicate with the channel II -for receiving mercury therefrom.

Briey, the operation of the device is as folby gravity from the chamber I4 through the discharge spout I5 into the channel II. Centrifugal force causes this mercury to ow from the channel II through the passages 39 into the casing 34 outwardly of the segmental blocks 35.

In this manner the comparatively light blocks 36 l are forced inwardly and forwardly on the conical inner portion 35 of the casing 34 thus engaging the clutch members 32, 28 and 30 against the tension of the coil springs 33. In this manner the shaft 8 is frictionally connected to the housing I for rotation therewith. To disengage the clutch, the body I2 is shifted in the opposite direction on the sleeve 5, thus engaging the chute To engage the I9 in the channel II and closing the valve I6. Now, as the housing I rotates the stationary chute I9 scoops the mercury out of the channel II and returns said mercury to the chamber I4. As the mercury in the c-asing 34 recedes the blocks 36 are expanded by centrifugal force with the assistance of the coil springs 38. The coil springs 33 now disengage the :clutch elements 28, 30 and 32 for disconnecting the housing I from the shaft 8.

It is believed that the many advantages of a clutch constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall Within the scope ofthe invention as claimed.

What is ,claimed is:

A clutch comprising a driving shaft, a housing Xed on said driving shaft, a driven shaft extending rotatably into the housing and including `an enlarged portion, a hub splined on said enlarged portion, a ring fixed in the housing, pins projecting from said ring, a disk fixed on the hub and engageable with the ring, a ring slidable on the pins and engageable with the disk, said disk and the rings constituting means for frictionally connecting the driven shaft to the housing for actuation thereby, springs on the pins for disengaging the second-named ring from the disk, la substantially channel-shaped, annular casing xed in the housing and including a substantially conical inner portion, a plurality of substantially segmental blocks in the casing operable on said conical portion for engaging the rings and the disk, guides for the blocks on the conical portion of the casing, a fluid in the housing operable by centrifugal force Ifor actuating the blocks for engaging the rings and the disk, `and means for ycontrolling said fluid.

JOHN JACOB FLICKINGER. 

